Baylor Scott & White Hospital (BS&W) on Wednesday, Sept. 6, received an annual pay-out and a year's extension on a five-year jobs performance agreement with the Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation (MFEDC).

At a meeting of the MFEDC Board of Directors, a check for $229,820.58 was presented to president Tim Ols and CEO Bramer Owens of the BS&W Hill Country Region.

When BS&W came to town, the EDC focused its incentives on jobs creation and offered up to $2.5 million, based on $5,605 per new job created, first by the Wayne and Eileen Hurd Regional Medical Center and then by the hospital.

In round numbers, reimbursements, beginning in Fiscal Year 2012-2013, have been $347,510, $302,670, $1,177,050, $369,995 and, this year, $229,821, or $2,427,046. That leaves $72,954 unclaimed.

“Baylor Scott & White has been an incredible job generator for our community,” said Christian Fletcher, MFEDC executive director. “They are the second largest employer in town after the Marble Falls Independent School district with 650 employees.

“The EDC board's unanimous vote shows they were glad to extend the contract.”

This year's reimbursement was based on 41 new positions. Staffing now stands at 433 employees, with 56 vacancies. Christian said 13 new jobs would reach the 446-new job level for full $2.5 million reimbursement.

Skilled workers and housing both have been named as stumbling blocks to full hospital staffing in reports from BS&W to the Marble Falls City Council. The EDC has responded with grants for Certified Nurse Aide and Certified Medical Assistant training through Central Texas College and the flurry of housing development and apartment construction plans hold out promise for accommodations for professionals who want to locate in the Highland Lakes.